POWER RESTRICTIONS EASED

Putaruru Press, Volume XXI, Issue 1237, 3 July 1947, Page 6

POWER RESTRICTIONS EASED

ELIMINATION OF-, CUTS Controlling’ Weekly Consumption “After a three-day trial of the Thamas Valley Electric Power Board’s unit consumption on the new basis allowed by the State Hydro Electric Department, as from Monday, June 23, it appears that the board may be able to eliminate all the proposed power cuts, with certain reservations,” stated: the manager, Mr. R. Sprague, in an interview. However, it would be necessary to reserve a number of scheduled cut-off times so that adequate control anight be kept upon the weekly consumption, enabling the board to keep within the limits of the latest control order. The amount of this reserve was to the extent of some 4 per cent, to 5 per cent., and. its manipulation would enable the hoard to stabilise the results from week to week. The achievement of this control would entirely depend- upon the public response to an appeal to save electricity in every way, particularly between the hours of 5 p.m. and 6.80 p.m. The hoard was circularising every consumer and user of power with a view to obtaining their cooperation, It was expecting to add anything up to 100 soldier settler farmers on their new farms this spring, and power for them could only foci made available if each of the present consumers would do their part in saving and thereby make a little available to the new settlers. Not ono power cut would be made unless it was absolutely unavoidable. It was proposed to make a limited amount of heating available to houses and business premises where there was no other means of heating available; also to churches on Sundays. The public was warned that an abuse of those hours would mean cancellation- of the use of radiators or infliction of power cuts. Water heaters on unrestricted supply were ordared to be disconnected between the hours of 4.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. daily.

The board- had every confidence that the public will respond to its appeal, concluded Mr. Sprague. The shortage of electricity was very real, as the board had reason to know after its excruciating experience of the past three months, and it was in the consumers own hands to avoid a recurrence.